It appears that the problem is affecting a number of models, both running i5 and i7 processors.

Forum moderator Barb Bowman previously suggested that those users affected by the random shutdowns should return their Surface Pro units for an exchange or refund.

She said: “In my OPINION, based on the fact that it has historically taken Microsoft months and months to identify issues and come out with a fix and since these devices are still eligible for return for full refund, you may want to consider returning for a full refund and repurchasing.

“If you do that, you get another 30 days of being able to return and repurchase, etc.

“The reason I say this is that 6 months down the road, Microsoft will exchange for a refurb if they determine it is a hardware issue and the quality of the refurbs has not been consistent.”

The issue was initially raised by one Surface Pro owner who said: “For some reason my new Surface is shutting off randomly.

“I check the setting and a few other things but it’s still randomly turns off without warning. I’m losing some of my school work because of it.

“Is anyone else having this problem?”

Microsoft has had previous battery and power issues with past Surface models that took months to fix.

Last November Microsoft issued a firmware fix to address a second battery issue affecting a number of Surface Pro 3 devices.

A fix had also been issued last August, but in the aftermath a number of owners said they were noticing battery degradation.